bye1
n.
- the transfer of a competitor directly to the next round of a competition in the absence of an assigned opponent.
- Cricket a run scored from a ball that passes the batsman without being hit (recorded as an extra).
- Golf one or more holes remaining unplayed after a match has been decided.
Phrase
- by the bye
variant spelling of by the by (see by).
Etymology
C16 (denoting an incidental matter): from by.